|
Planting Fruit Trees
How To Get Great Fruit
Yields
Fruit trees offer beauty
and satisfaction for gardeners. Nothing tastes better
than a tree-ripened apple, peach, pear or cherry unless
it is homemade pie!
Plan Before You Plant
Successful fruit
production depends on a sunny growing site with fertile
soil that drains well. If the soil has a high clay
content, Agway Peat Moss or Composted Manure and Organic
Humus at planting time to improve drainage.
Decide What To Plant
Select the types of
fruits your family enjoys and uses. Consider planting
several varieties of the same fruit which mature at
different times to prolong the harvest. Most apples,
pear, plums and sweet cherries grow well in the
Northeast and require another tree to provide pollen.
Therefore plant two different varieties of apple trees
that bloom about the same time within 100 feet of each
other. Most hardy peaches and sour cherries are
self-fruitful so their flowers are pollinated by the
pollen on the same tree or by pollen from another tree
of the same kind.
Plant! The Sooner The
Better!
Before planting bare-root
fruit trees, soak roots in a pail of water for 1-2
hours. Prune any broken or damaged roots and dig a hole
that is twice as wide and just as deep as the root mass.
Whether planting a bare-root or container-grown fruit
tree, add topsoil or peat moss to clay soil to improve
the drainage. Set the fruit tree in the planting hole
and cover the roots. Firm soil over the roots and tamp
down so soil is level with the surrounding ground. Water
thoroughly to settle soil. Then spread a 2-inch layer of
pine bark or cypress mulch over the roots to conserve
moisture, reduce weeds and prevent mower damage to the
tree trunk. Protect young trees from animal damage and
sunscald by covering the tree stump with a paper tree
wrap or a tree guard.
Water Matters
Regular watering is
essential to good root growth. Water newly planted fruit
trees every week if there is no rainfall. When watering,
allow moisture to gently soak the ground to reach the
deepest roots.
Fertilizer Facts
Newly planted fruit trees
benefit from high phosphorus fertilizer that promotes
root growth such as Agway Bonemeal or Superphosphate.
After the first year, feed trees in early spring with a
complete fertilizer such as Agway All-Purpose 10-10-10.
Prune To Promote
Growth
Fruit trees respond well
to pruning in late February or March before new leaves
develop. Prune young trees to encourage well-spaced
branches.
Control Pests
Many insects and diseases
threaten fruit trees. Spray regularly with Agway Fruit
Tree Spray or visit your local Agway store for a variety
of organic and chemical controls. Always follow label
directions carefully.
Enjoy The Fruits Of
Your Labor!
Producing your own fruits
is a rewarding experience. So head over to your local
Agway store for all the products and expert advice that
you’ll need to plan, plant and grow your own fruit
trees. |
